Electric touring bike ?!
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Electric touring bike ?!
Hello to all,
I am a Quebecer (Canada) who has been traveling by bike while camping for 40 years. I made my 35th trip this fall in Gaspésie. I only travel in the fall or spring, just before or after the snow here. I am completely self-sufficient on my bike (4-season tent, winter sleeping bag, pots, burner, etc.).
When I was younger, I was a "bicycle tourer", camping was secondary. Now, at 53 years old, I do camping, by bike. Important difference! I like to camp in comfort. Also, on my non-pedaling days, I like to hike and explore. For that, I often have to camp several nights in the same place to have time to rest and then discover the places.
All this to say that, with time and age, I don't have any more pleasure to force myself in the hills of the mountainous roads. I carry about 100 pounds of gear and I don't want to reduce that weight. I'm looking to buy a bike that will have a motor to help me on the hills. Just thinking about it and I'm looking forward to start traveling again to mountainous areas where I don't go anymore!
But traveling by electric bike is a big change in logistics, just in terms of having to recharge the batteries every day.
As far as I'm concerned, since the bike I want to buy is worth 15 000$, with the accessories (Reise & Mûller, Multicharger : https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/multicharger/), I decided to start by adding a motor to my custom Surly Disctrucker, less heavy on the wallet !
I put a picture of my bike and one of the potential competitor to replace it one day.
Do you travel or are you about to travel with an electric bike? If so, what bikes do you have in mind?
François Villeneuve
Rimouski, Québec, Canada
I am a Quebecer (Canada) who has been traveling by bike while camping for 40 years. I made my 35th trip this fall in Gaspésie. I only travel in the fall or spring, just before or after the snow here. I am completely self-sufficient on my bike (4-season tent, winter sleeping bag, pots, burner, etc.).
When I was younger, I was a "bicycle tourer", camping was secondary. Now, at 53 years old, I do camping, by bike. Important difference! I like to camp in comfort. Also, on my non-pedaling days, I like to hike and explore. For that, I often have to camp several nights in the same place to have time to rest and then discover the places.
All this to say that, with time and age, I don't have any more pleasure to force myself in the hills of the mountainous roads. I carry about 100 pounds of gear and I don't want to reduce that weight. I'm looking to buy a bike that will have a motor to help me on the hills. Just thinking about it and I'm looking forward to start traveling again to mountainous areas where I don't go anymore!
But traveling by electric bike is a big change in logistics, just in terms of having to recharge the batteries every day.
As far as I'm concerned, since the bike I want to buy is worth 15 000$, with the accessories (Reise & Mûller, Multicharger : https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/multicharger/), I decided to start by adding a motor to my custom Surly Disctrucker, less heavy on the wallet !
I put a picture of my bike and one of the potential competitor to replace it one day.
Do you travel or are you about to travel with an electric bike? If so, what bikes do you have in mind?
François Villeneuve
Rimouski, Québec, Canada
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This could get REAL interesting. 😁 I've been giving this idea some thought too, but not really seriously, yet.
The biggest issue is charging the batteries, like you say. I think someone's going to come up with a way to charge them while riding, kind of like what they do with car batteries, only improved. 👍
Probably not overnight, but things are headed that way. I hope. 😉
Funny you should mention winter camping, I'm more geared up this year, than I've ever been. But I'm in California, where the winters are supposed to be pretty mild, lol. I might have to go back North a ways, just to use my gear. 😁😉
The biggest issue is charging the batteries, like you say. I think someone's going to come up with a way to charge them while riding, kind of like what they do with car batteries, only improved. 👍
Probably not overnight, but things are headed that way. I hope. 😉
Funny you should mention winter camping, I'm more geared up this year, than I've ever been. But I'm in California, where the winters are supposed to be pretty mild, lol. I might have to go back North a ways, just to use my gear. 😁😉
#3
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I built a fat bike for this purpose. I started with a titanium frame and built up from there. I has a BBSHD drive with 11 speed 11X46 tooth gearing. The battery system consists of four batteries totalling 2,540 watt hours @ 52 volts. I run the batteries in parallel and charge them with a 15 amp charger. My charge rate is about 1 mile per minute (800 watts output). I do have a QuietKat trailer that can haul 100LB. My range is anywhere from 60 miles in deep snow to 275 miles at a leisurely pace. I plan on doing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route with this bike.
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Very interesting!
I'm also looking into a trailer of the same type.
I see you have attached 2 batteries on each side of the fork. Ingenious.
I'm going to have a Tongsheng TSDZ2 motor installed on my Surly Disctrucker soon. I have no fun on the mountain roads with my 100 pounds of gear on the 2 racks of my bike. With this engine addition, I want to start traveling again to places I don't dare go anymore!
The idea of a fat-bike rather than a mountain bike with front and rear suspension is interesting, as it's such a simpler bike. Isn't it a bit dragging on paved roads?
How do you transport your bike? Can you put it on the plane or train in the US? And you must have a very strong car bike rack!
I'm also looking into a trailer of the same type.
I see you have attached 2 batteries on each side of the fork. Ingenious.
I'm going to have a Tongsheng TSDZ2 motor installed on my Surly Disctrucker soon. I have no fun on the mountain roads with my 100 pounds of gear on the 2 racks of my bike. With this engine addition, I want to start traveling again to places I don't dare go anymore!
The idea of a fat-bike rather than a mountain bike with front and rear suspension is interesting, as it's such a simpler bike. Isn't it a bit dragging on paved roads?
How do you transport your bike? Can you put it on the plane or train in the US? And you must have a very strong car bike rack!
#5
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Very interesting!
I'm also looking into a trailer of the same type.
I see you have attached 2 batteries on each side of the fork. Ingenious.
The idea of a fat-bike rather than a mountain bike with front and rear suspension is interesting, as it's such a simpler bike. Isn't it a bit dragging on paved roads?
How do you transport your bike? Can you put it on the plane or train in the US? And you must have a very strong car bike rack!
I'm also looking into a trailer of the same type.
I see you have attached 2 batteries on each side of the fork. Ingenious.
The idea of a fat-bike rather than a mountain bike with front and rear suspension is interesting, as it's such a simpler bike. Isn't it a bit dragging on paved roads?
How do you transport your bike? Can you put it on the plane or train in the US? And you must have a very strong car bike rack!
Can't fly easily with an e bike and trains don't like fat bikes unless boxed. U haul if you are transporting for a long ride. I have a strong rack, but I can remove all the batteries and the bike is down to 50 lbs.
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I own a Supercharger2 Rohloff and it is a fantastic bike for touring and hauling stuff. The Multicharger has more space but I found I don't need extra space and if I do I can haul a trailer if need be.
It has really changed my life and it well worth it. Dual batteries, Rohloff, Belt Drive, Nyon so I can navigate...I just wish I had more time for touring, LOL!
It has really changed my life and it well worth it. Dual batteries, Rohloff, Belt Drive, Nyon so I can navigate...I just wish I had more time for touring, LOL!
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Adventure Cycling seems pretty hep on e-bike touring, but so far they have only travelogged e-bike day rides or inn-to-inn tours (NTTAWWT) and haven't revealed any secrets on e-bike camp-tours.
Just for fun, I mapped out a near-month-long tour here in Parts Unknown, riding from State Park to State Park and camping in sites that have an electric outlet (those costs a bit more than sites without electricity).
Charging while riding. How exactly would that work?
Fun fact: the US Patent Office will not accept applications for perpetual motion machines.
Just for fun, I mapped out a near-month-long tour here in Parts Unknown, riding from State Park to State Park and camping in sites that have an electric outlet (those costs a bit more than sites without electricity).
The biggest issue is charging the batteries, like you say. I think someone's going to come up with a way to charge them while riding, kind of like what they do with car batteries, only improved.
Fun fact: the US Patent Office will not accept applications for perpetual motion machines.
Last edited by tcs; 10-16-22 at 02:34 PM.
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I am 70 years old. I have been touring since my teens.
I discovered electric bikes 5 years ago. The same body issues that took me to electric bikes has also taken me to sleeping in cheap motels over tents. Charging the batteries is no problem in motels.
I do carry an extra battery just in case.
I discovered electric bikes 5 years ago. The same body issues that took me to electric bikes has also taken me to sleeping in cheap motels over tents. Charging the batteries is no problem in motels.
I do carry an extra battery just in case.
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It all has to do with a certain device, called a flux capacitor. And convincing the Post Office to take over, when the Patent Office comes up short. Don't worry, stamps will still cost the same. 😋😁😉
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#12
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I have a novel idea. Get a small, ie 49cc moped or vespa type gas engine bike and avoid the hassle of having to search for a place to charge up at night. Carry an extra quart of fuel on the bike and there is really no worries about being stranded and it will carry all your gear with ease. When you reach your destination for the day, go hike around for 4 or 5 miles to get some exercise. You accomplish the same goal with a gasoline powered bike as you do a battery powered bike, plus I believe the gas powered machine opens up more travel options.
I have ridden x-country on a motorcycle twice and it is exactly what I did. Very pleasurable way to see the country and experience some excellent hikes and get to know cities first hand, er...first foot.
I have ridden x-country on a motorcycle twice and it is exactly what I did. Very pleasurable way to see the country and experience some excellent hikes and get to know cities first hand, er...first foot.
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#13
Miles to Go
I have a CrossCurrent-X that I use for commuting. They say 80+ mile range, and I think 100 is easily doable in #1 pedal assist. E-bike touring would cut down on some camping options, but I would consider it. It might be better to do in a small group to offset the costs of RV campsites w/power.
Adventure Cycling only allows class-1 E-bikes on some of their tours. Seems to me that organized e-bike tours is a huge market. I will be interested to see if they start offering organized e-bike tours.
Adventure Cycling only allows class-1 E-bikes on some of their tours. Seems to me that organized e-bike tours is a huge market. I will be interested to see if they start offering organized e-bike tours.
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Three years ago, I met a group on the Erie Canal Towpath with a guy on an ebike. They had a sag wagon with a little generator if they weren't staying where there was power. The towpath has camping at locks but those have no services.
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Don't worry, these things take practice. No one gets it right the first time. 😁😉
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Stay in hotels for a couple of days per stop and charge the batteries while site seeing?
I think e-bikes can be wonderful for touring as long as you account for charging
I think e-bikes can be wonderful for touring as long as you account for charging
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I think it is pretty simple. If You decide to tour with an e-bike then you just need to adjust your planning. Who knows maybe you already plan the way for ebikes but in my case...I like to fly by the seat of my pants so ... in my case ... if I wanted to tour with an e-bike I would
1 simply reserve my accommodations before the trip,
2 I would not push distance to compensate for bad weather
3 I would plan vacations in countries that already serve people on ebikes (Denmark etc...)
4 and I would probably carry an extra battery
Years ago - it must be 8 years right now, when ebikes were starting their perfection we purchased 2 great specimens, Specialized Turbo and Stromer ST1 and we used them extensively and I also used them to commute to work 30 miles round trip every day. I had extra battery at work fully charged, ready for lunch break or any need to jet out and back while the battery I arrived on was on a charger. All in all what made it more practical for me was owning 2 batteries and 2 chargers. The novelty slowly wore off and after a while it became somewhat annoying to be thinking about charging so after about 3 years of ownership we sold both e-bikes and moved on while just about everybody did the opposite and started using ebikes.
I went to Acadia National Park 2 weeks ago to redline their carriage trails and that day I was outnumbered by ebikes 10 to 1. No problems for me. I like it all. Every person on a bike is one less person in a car.
-------------------
To be devils advocate... alternatively if I did not want to use an e-bike but was in a physical situation of thinking I needed one I would simply cut my expected mileage by 2/3rds and keep using regular bike and just not fret that I tour 20 miles per day versus 60.
1 simply reserve my accommodations before the trip,
2 I would not push distance to compensate for bad weather
3 I would plan vacations in countries that already serve people on ebikes (Denmark etc...)
4 and I would probably carry an extra battery
Years ago - it must be 8 years right now, when ebikes were starting their perfection we purchased 2 great specimens, Specialized Turbo and Stromer ST1 and we used them extensively and I also used them to commute to work 30 miles round trip every day. I had extra battery at work fully charged, ready for lunch break or any need to jet out and back while the battery I arrived on was on a charger. All in all what made it more practical for me was owning 2 batteries and 2 chargers. The novelty slowly wore off and after a while it became somewhat annoying to be thinking about charging so after about 3 years of ownership we sold both e-bikes and moved on while just about everybody did the opposite and started using ebikes.
I went to Acadia National Park 2 weeks ago to redline their carriage trails and that day I was outnumbered by ebikes 10 to 1. No problems for me. I like it all. Every person on a bike is one less person in a car.
-------------------
To be devils advocate... alternatively if I did not want to use an e-bike but was in a physical situation of thinking I needed one I would simply cut my expected mileage by 2/3rds and keep using regular bike and just not fret that I tour 20 miles per day versus 60.
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oh you also asked if we traveled by ebike what ebike would we use. As of right now I believe if I wanted to tour with an electrified bicycle I would do so with a Larry&Harry Bullitt and a dufflebag
Cheers
something like this
Cheers
something like this
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In addition to camping, it is always possible to ask a business or people for permission to use their power outlet for the night, during which you camp not far from there.
There are also Warmshowers which can allow this.
In short, as much as you often have to be imaginative to find a "wild" place to pitch your tent, you will have to be so to find a power outlet!
But let's say that I intend to keep my normal bike (Surly Disctrucker) for my wilder trips, where there won't be too many hills!
#24
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Interesting Pedalingwalrus, you bring good points.
In addition to camping, it is always possible to ask a business or people for permission to use their power outlet for the night, during which you camp not far from there.
There are also Warmshowers which can allow this.
In short, as much as you often have to be imaginative to find a "wild" place to pitch your tent, you will have to be so to find a power outlet!
But let's say that I intend to keep my normal bike (Surly Disctrucker) for my wilder trips, where there won't be too many hills!
In addition to camping, it is always possible to ask a business or people for permission to use their power outlet for the night, during which you camp not far from there.
There are also Warmshowers which can allow this.
In short, as much as you often have to be imaginative to find a "wild" place to pitch your tent, you will have to be so to find a power outlet!
But let's say that I intend to keep my normal bike (Surly Disctrucker) for my wilder trips, where there won't be too many hills!